STAUNTON — The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind saw 44 percent of its employees retire or leave the school between fall of 2015 and fall of 2016. The school currently has 196 employees. During the last year the school lost 86 employees, including 19 teachers and therapists, representing 94 years of service.

The school has suffered over the years from a steep decline in enrollment, as more students in Virginia who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired are getting more services from their home school divisions. While VSDB sees more requests from students with multiple disabilities, the school claims it does not have the adequate monetary resources to serve that population of students.

The enrollment at VSDB at the end of last year was 94 students. As of the end of September enrollment was down to 92. With an operating budget of $10,625,692, VSDB spends just shy of $115,500 per student. Of course a percentage of operating costs goes toward building upkeep and utilities, as well as student services and instruction.

Plans to renovate Main Hall have been put on hold for the time being. The General Assembly has not appropriated the needed $20 million to tackle the project. Main Hall was emptied in 2015 in anticipation of the renovation, but according to correspondence obtained by The News Leader there are no plans at this point to continue with the renovation.

Instead, VSDB is looking to spend $29,000 to do a temporary protection to keep Main Hall from deteriorating further while waiting on funding and design for a massive overhaul. The anticipated work could be accomplished in one week.

Superintendent Pat Trice has refused to answer calls from The News Leader for a week and a half regarding this matter and others.